How to Change PDF Password – A Comprehensive Guide
In order to enhance the security of digital documents like PDF it is important to secure it with a password. Of course, users often change PDF password frequently to improve security. Adobe Acrobat and various professional tools offer a straightforward way to do so. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of changing password of a PDF document.
Password Types & the Need to Change Them
First, do note that a PDF document has two types of password:
- Owner level password – It adds restrictions to a PDF document and restricts you from performing certain actions like edit, copy, print, etc.
- User level password – This will be our main focus in this article as generally PDF password reflects this password type. This type restricts direct access of PDF document, i.e., you cannot open the PDF.
There are several reasons behind changing a PDF password, such as:
- If you suspect that your current password is compromised or no longer secure.
- Update the password to grant access to new individuals while revoking access from old ones.
- It is a good practice to regularly change passwords in PDf and other digital documents.
How to Change PDF Password on Windows & Mac?
More often than not, most of the software and guides to do the same thing on Windows and Mac differ from each other. After all, the OS is completely different. Of course software from the same brand tend to be similar in most aspects even on different OS.
The good news is that to change PDF password on Windows and Mac, the process remains the same. You only need to ensure that you download the proper version suitable for your OS.
Here, we have two methods to change password of a PDF document – Adobe Acrobat & a Professional utility. The step-by-step process of both methods will remain the same for both Windows and Mac users. So, go ahead and execute them.
How to Change PDF Password in Adobe Acrobat:
Adobe Acrobat is a powerful PDF editor that allows you to manage PDF document security efficiently. Here’s how to change a PDF password using Adobe Acrobat:
Step 1: Open the PDF File
Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer. From the application’s home page, click on the “Open File” icon. A file explorer window will appear, enabling you to browse and select the PDF file for which you want to change the password. Once selected, click “Open”. If the PDF is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the current password.
Step 2: Access the Security Settings
After opening the PDF file, navigate to the toolbar at the top and click on the “Tools” tab. From the dropdown menu, select “Protect,” and then choose “Encrypt.” This action will open the “Encrypt with Password” dialog box.
Step 3: Change PDF Password
In the “Encrypt with Password” dialog box, you will see a field where the current password is displayed. To change PDF password, simply click inside the password box, remove the existing password, and enter the new one. Ensure your new password meets security standards, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols for added protection.
Step 4: Apply the New Password
Once you’ve entered the new password, click the “OK” button. Adobe Acrobat will prompt you to confirm the new password by entering it again. After confirming, click “OK” once more to apply the new password to the PDF document.
Step 5: Save the PDF
To save the PDF file with the new password, go to the “File” menu and select “Save”. Finally, the PDF will now be protected with the updated password.
How to Change PDF Password with SysTools PDF Lock Tool
SysTools PDF Password Protection tool is a user-friendly software that allows you to manage PDF document security efficiently.
Here’s how to change a PDF password using this tool:
Step 1: Launch the software
Begin by launching the software on your computer. You can download and install this software from the official website if you haven’t already done so.
Step 2: Open the PDF File
Within the tool’s interface, click on the “Add File” button. This will open a file explorer window. Here,locate and select the PDF file for which you want to change the password. Once selected, click “Open”. You can select multiple PDF files at once.
Step 3: Change saving location
Once the PDF file is loaded into the software, navigate to the “Change” button. Here, you can add a location where the new PDF file with new password will appear. Yes, this tool does not alter your old files, it simply copies the file, apply changes on it and gives you a new PDF.
Step 4: Change PDF Password
To change the PDF password, you first need to enter the current password for the PDF file. Enter it in the given Password section. Once done, go to the new window.
Step 5: Apply the New Password
Go to the next window and choose the second box – Document-open password. Here, enter the new password. After entering the new password, click the “Lock” button. The software will apply the new password to the PDF document.
Step 6: Open the PDF
To open the PDF file with the updated password, simply go to the saving location. Here, you will find your PDF file with changed password.
What if There is No Password on PDF?
If your PDF document is not password-protected, you can still follow the above steps to set a password for added security. Adobe Acrobat and professional utility allows you to proactively secure your PDF files by setting access restrictions and passwords.
The only difference is that you do not need to enter the old password since the PDF doesn’t have one.
Summary
Adobe Acrobat and the recommended software offer a user-friendly approach to change PDF password on Windows & Mac. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently update your PDF passwords as needed. The process is simple and can be completed in minutes.